Southampton's Edith Windsor Finalist for Time Person of the Year
Edith Windsor, the woman who’s Supreme Court case led to the Defense of Marriage Act being overturned this year, was one of five finalists considered for the Time Person of the Year for 2013.
Windsor, who owned a home in Southampton with her late wife, fought for federal inheritance rights. Windsor and Thea Spyer had married in Canada, but prior to the defeat of DOMA, their marriage was not recognized by the U.S. government.
Windsor told The New York Times last year, “In 1968, we bought a house in the country for $35,000, including the furniture, the dishes and everything in it.” That $35,000 Southampton house is now valued at $550,000, and the IRS expected Windsor to pay estate tax after Spyer’s death. Windsor’s stand has now extended federal same-sex marriage rights to couples all over the country.
Hamptons resident Matt Lauer interviewed Time managing editor Nancy Gibbs on Today Wednesday morning, during which time they revealed the pick for Person of the Year.
Time chose Pope Francis, and rounding out the top five were Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and NSA leaker Edward Snowden.